Steve Nash Calls It A Career

Steve Nash, one of the greatest point guards to play the game has finally called it a career after 19 seasons in the NBA. No matter how hard he trained in order to get healthy again, it just was not happening for 41 year old Steve Nash. It was actually this time of year some 20 years ago when Nash led #10 seeded Santa Clara to victory over #7 Maryland in the NCAA Tournament which began giving Nash the recognition he deserved despite playing at a school not typically known for basketball.

Steve Nash

Nash was drafted 15th overall in the 1996 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns. After 2 seasons, he was traded to the Dallas Mavericks where he began to make a name for himself. The nucleus of Nash, Dirk Nowitzki, and Michael Finley allowed the Mavericks to compete in the Western Conference.

While Nash proved he can play in the NBA with Dallas after coming from a small basketball school, he left via free agency to join the Phoenix Suns where he went on to win two MVP awards. Nash really took his play to another level in Phoenix where he was a double-double machine in points and assists. As Nash got older, the Suns as a franchise were not as competitive and Nash was still own the prowl for a NBA Championship. Nash was signed and traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in April of 2012.

However, in his time with the Los Angeles Lakers, Nash has not been able to stay healthy. Hampered by nerve injuries, Nash has played a total of 65 games in his 3 years with the Lakers. The team has faltered having not posted a winning season in each of those 3 seasons. At age 41, with the state of his health, and the franchise, it seems the Lakers are not close to winning a title and that it’s time to call it a career.

Nash figures to be a Hall of Famer. Over the course of his 19 year career, he has recorded career averages of 14.3 points and 8.5 assists all the while shooting 90% from the free throw line, 43% from three point range, and 49% from the field. Although he never won a championship, he will certainly go down as one of the best point guards to ever play the game.

You don’t have to be a tourist to appreciate the outdoors options that Los Angeles offers year round. The city’s moderate climate and temperatures during the majority of the 12 months leaves plenty of outdoor destinations choices for family, couple or individual day trips. If you are in need of a few options for your trip, I’ve included just a few of my favorites below. There are, of course, dozens of other outdoor attractions I have excluded but you can find a longer list of options here.

Franklin Canyon

Franklin Canyon Parks offers an escape from the city noise and commotion. It is a quiet escape from the city’s traffic and overwhelming concrete. The park hosts weddings, meetings and parties, but it’s also an easy option for a family day trip. There are plenty of places around the park to have a picnic by the lake or under an oak or sycamore tree. If you are seeking to bird watch, stop by the heavenly pond where you can feed passing ducks.

Beaches

It’s difficult to pin down just one beach to visit near Los Angeles, but just to name a few, check out: Descansco Beach, Crescent Beach, Pebbly Beach, Ben Weston Beach, Royal Palms County Beach and Manhattan County Beach.

Lake Piru

This Lake, which is located in Ventura County inside the Los Padres National Forest right next to the Sespe Condor Sanctuary. The lake is a great camping destination with its tidy restrooms, hot showers and a stocked stored for travelers to purchase all of their needs. You can even rent a pontoon boat to take out on the lake.

Angeles National Forest

Experience amazing scenery and a natural environment when you visit this forest. The forest offers fishing, hiking, swimming and even skiing areas. Check out the wilderness areas like Cucamonga, Magic Mountain, Pleasant View Ridge, San Gabriel Wilderness and Sheep Mountain Wilderness.

Equine Experiences and Trail Rides

You can horseback ride in Palos Verdes. Activities offered include; Cowboy Boot Camp, Trail Rides, Dinner Rides and riding Lessons.